I recently got together with my gal pals for a painting party. We ate pizza, got paint everywhere, and shared an evening of conversation and painting. At the end of the night, we all had a painting to take home, but better yet — we had memories of a quiet evening spent with the people […]

I recently got together with my gal pals for a painting party. We ate pizza, got paint everywhere, and shared an evening of conversation and painting. At the end of the night, we all had a painting to take home, but better yet — we had memories of a quiet evening spent with the people we love most in the world.

For Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to remember our romantic partners and forget the girlfriends who are always at the ready for a phone call, gab session, or quiet coffee chat. During the season of love, remember to celebrate “Gal”-entine’s Day and give a little love and appreciation to all your gal pals. For this party, we decided to make some rose soaps with an easy melt-and-pour recipe. Our all-in-one kit includes everything you need to throw a “Gal”-entine’s Day bash for your friends, then send them home with a perfectly packaged party favor of handmade soap that they made with their own hands.

Directions:

Spritz your tins with rubbing alcohol or vodka. This will help ensure your soap will slide out of the mold once it’s set. If using tart tins, you don’t have to spritz with alcohol or vodka because you can flex the tart tin slightly to pop out the soaps once they have set.

Cut the soap base into 1-inch cubes and place in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup.

Microwave soap base in 30-second increments until it is thoroughly melted.

Stir in 10-20 drops of essential oil, depending on desired intensity of fragrance. The rose essential oil will separate from the soap base, so stir vigorously to blend the essential oil with the soap base.

Pour soap into the tin and sprinkle dried roses on top. Alternative method: break off the base of the dried rose bud to sprinkle just rose petals into the soaps instead.

Place in the refrigerator to set for at least 20 minutes.

Once the soaps have set, they should pop out of the tins easily.

Package each soap into a glassine sleeve, hole punch two holes at the top, thread with ribbon, and finish with a personalized gift tag and bow.